Sometimes even the corniest of old jokes has a profound lesson to teach us. “How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?” In case you haven’t already heard … more

Every year on Rosh Hashana, we read of the expulsion of Yishmael (Avraham’s first son with his handmaiden Hagar), and the binding of Yitzchak. Both are stories of the sons of Avraham, and both … more

There is quite a bit of sadness attached to this Sabbath, the last of the year. Sure, we look forward to a new year with new blessings and new opportunities. But we cannot escape the fact that this … more

This Motzai Shabbat we begin the recitation of Selichot in order to prepare ourselves to meet the Master of the Universe on Rosh Hashana. As such, it is no mere metaphor that the initial pasukim of … more

The moment had come. Moses was about to die. He had seen his sister Miriam and brother Aaron pre-decease him. He had prayed to G-d — not to live forever, not even to live longer, but simply, … more

Our parasha contains two terms that are found nowhere else in Tanach, namely, he’e’marta and he’e’mircha : “Today you have declared allegiance ( he’e’marta ) … more

In our parsha, Ki Savo, we find Moshe being repetitive with his goodbyes. Which seems excessive. At the end of chapter 26, he tells the people, “God is commanding you to keep the laws. … more

O ne reason religion has survived in the modern world despite four centuries of secularization is that it answers the three questions every reflective human being will ask at some time in his or her … more

One of the major shul-based practices of the month of Elul is listening to the clarion call of the shofar following the recitation of Psalm 27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” … more

As we merited to walk our second child, our oldest son Yonatan, down the aisle to his chuppah, people stood and clapped and smiled and laughed, Yonatan’s smile light up his entire face, my wife … more